Crayford housing association flats "need to be knocked down and rebuilt"

People living in Town Hall Square have made dozens of complaints about issues involving heating, security, maintenance and mould.

The sewage leaks, which most recently happened last week, are caused by blocked drains and have put parts of the car park out of action due to large puddles.

Pregnant mum-of-two Michelle Riddall Patten, 35, told News Shopper: "It was like it for around 12 days.

"The smell was unbearable. You could not get to your cars, because it was raw sewage.

"Our car was right next to it and I did not want the kids going through."

Raw sewage can be extremely dangerous and, in addition to these problems, the car park often floods in heavy rain.

Mrs Riddall Patten, a nurse, said: "I have had to have days off work because I cannot get out of the car park.

"It happened around Christmas time and you could not get down there on foot.

"If it rains all day you are in trouble. It turns into a river.

"There are lots of single mums who do not drive and have push chairs and they cannot get through it.”

She added: "I am on the housing exchange site to try and move because they do not do anything about it. It’s appalling.

"It needs to be knocked down and rebuilt.

"With a baby coming as well it worries me because of all the mould in our bedroom."

Security is also an issue in the flats

Her neighbour Peter Woodcock, 47, said: "One woman has had plastering taken off her doors.

"She has got what looks like green grass now growing in her lounge."

The "green grass" growing

Mr Woodcock added: "In last 15 months I have had over a hundred visits.

"The housing association aren’t taking responsibility.

"But we are paying the rent each month on time.

"They would not like it if I turned around and said: ‘Well I won’t pay my rent’."

Mr Woodcock praised Gallions’ caretaker John, who he said “works really hard” to resolve issues.

A Gallions spokesman said: “There are a number of outstanding issues with the development which we are working with the main contractor to resolve.

“Residents affected are being kept informed and they have the opportunity to raise communal issues with our caretaker.

“The latest sewage leak was reported on the 14 April 2015.

"This was resolved by our contractors on the same day, and our caretaker thoroughly cleaned the area.

“A replacement carpet has been ordered and will be fitted soon.”